Thank you so much to my two wonderful reviewers and a special thanks to Rustie73 for the kind words.

Before I continue I wanted to let you all know that this is sort of a teaser. I'm not really sure about the direction this story has taken and I would really appreciate any opinions on the matter. However keep in mind that this chapter isn't finished, next time I update I'll finish this chapter and put up another.

Edit (4/20/2007): I added two paragraphs to the end of this chapter to complete it. It's not a lot but this was meant to be a teaser and I hadn't really finished the chapter where I meant to when I posted it before. It starts at 'Spot felt ill…'

Several days later he was once again in Manhattan after running into Racetrack near Sheepshead and following him to Tibby's.

"So what's eatin' ya Spot?" Race asked when they were seated in the back with their food.

Spot glared. "Nothing."

"If you say so." Race replied taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"I do say so. You challenging me?" Spot asked darkly.

Race laughed and shook his head. "Even I wouldn't bet on those odds."

Spot snorted at that, feeling his anger recede. Race wasn't his problem anyway. He lifted his glass to his lips and took a sip, keeping his eyes away from the older boy.

Race stayed quiet for a while, watching as Spot picked at his plate. "So you gonna tell me what's wrong or what?" He asked finally.

"It ain't your business." Spot answered, finally starting to eat.

Race studied him for a moment before nodding. He didn't say anything else about it and instead starting talking about his day at the tracks. He had managed to win a small sum and was happy to be able to take his girl out for a nice evening.

"Bout time you did somethin' for her that didn't involve liftin' her skirts." Spot joked, a smirk finally finding his face.

"You're jus' jealous I got me a pretty girl." Race shot back, returning the smirk.

Spot laughed and they continued shooting comments back and forth. By the time they left the restaurant, he had managed to forget about his problem with Jack. They headed for the park, neither really wanting to return home. When they arrived they sat side by side in the grass, still talking for a while before they both fell silent, leaving opportunity for Spot's mind to wander.

His thoughts returned to the Manhattan leader and he suddenly found himself wanting to talk to Racetrack about it. He wasn't sure how the shorter boy would react though. And he couldn't afford to have someone else think that the leader of Brooklyn was weak.

He sighed, causing Racetrack to ask again what was bothering him. This time he answered. "I'm havin' a sort a…relationship problem." He mumbled gruffly, embarrassed that he needed help.

Race gave hum a sideways glance. "Since when do you have a girl?"

"I…don't." Spot looked down at his scuffed boots, noticing that the left one was untied. He carefully tied it, staying silent as he concentrated on keeping the laces from breaking.

"Alright so you don't have a girl." Race said after a few moments of silence. "That mean you got a boy?"

Spot looked up at him sharply. "What?!"

"Calm down Spot. I don't mean nothing' by it." Race raised his hands in a form of surrender. "An' it don't bother me none if its true."

"Well it ain't!" Spot snapped, feeling his face heat up. He stood up and moved away from the other boy keeping his eyes fixed on two boys playing on the other side of the park.

"What is it then Spot? You don't got a girl, but ya don't got a boy. So what do ya got then, a monkey?" Race asked, exasperated.

"I don't have anybody! He don't want me!" Spot exploded in the Italian's face.

Race stared at him wide eyed. He couldn't believe that Spot had actually said something like that out loud. It took him a few moments to work up a response, but before he could open his mouth he realized Spot seemed to be in some sort of shock.

"Fuck." Spot swore softly as he realized what he had admitted.

He wanted Jack to want him. He wanted Jack to want him for more than quick fuck in a dirty alley. He wanted Jack to want him in a way that leads to love.

Spot felt ill as his epiphany sank in. His face was pale and he knew that his hands would start shaking if he allowed them to. He wouldn't though. Spot Conlon wasn't supposed to feel things like that, let alone show feelings like that.

He ignored Racetrack and turned to leave the park in a sort of daze that he hoped the Italian didn't notice. He managed to secure a scowl on his face once he reached the streets and he even held it the entire way back to Brooklyn. He stormed through his lodging house ignoring everyone and glaring at anyone who got in his way. When he reached his own room he slammed the door, locking it behind him, before finally allowing his expression to melt into one of despair.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Tomorrow is my birthday, so feel free to leave a review as a present, lol. I'm just kidding. It really is my birthday, but I would really like for you to leave your thoughts and opinions so I know how I'm doing.

Aloha!